Is the turning radius on the Oasis tighter when making a right turn versus a left turn because the rudder control lever can travel further? I notice I can make a sharp, small radius turn to the right, but the rudder control level hits the hull stop thus we are not able to turn as sharp when going left...much wider.

Is this normal or has something gotten out of adjustment? 2012 Oasis. Bob

_________________Bob2013 Oasis w/ SailVirginia

Last edited by motobob on Sun Dec 02, 2012 6:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.

You need to adjust the rudder (rear) so it has the same turn to each side including leaving room for your fingers on the tiller handle. Strait for the rudder on most Hobie's is more like 1 o'clock on the tiller handle compared to forward, but I adjust for the most throw in both directions, split evenly.

As Roadrunner pointed out , all you need is a Phillips screwdriver and a few minutes. After you learn how to do this, you can teach your dealer how to do it, as apparently many dealers and their staff, don't know how to adjust a new Hobie with a rudder. The Hobie link below will show how to adjust your rudder in a few simple minutes.

With the Oasis right side up on our trailer, I have my wife center the rudder control and then move it right and left for my final adjustments. I make the adjustments if necessary as shown in the video below. This only takes a few minutes and we adjust the rudder on our Oasis about twice a year or when I notice it isn't responding in a normal fashion.

Be sure to use the rudder cleat to hold it down while underway. This step, also, helps to adapt to the water and air temp changes which can cause the yak to increase or decrease in size which might impact your steering underway if the cleat is not used. Of course the cleat keeps your rudder in the up or down position.

Also, for the rudder to respond properly, you need to maintain some speed with your Mirage units.

For a tight turn, basically spining the yak in a 180, I have my wife put her Mirage fins in the neutral position, while I peddle in a fast manner. This if done correctly can spin the yak in a 180 or any degree you want or need. Remember fairly strong winds will make sails out of you and your yakking partner and will blow on any Oasis area above the water which will impact your turning.

After each use clean the exposed rudder control lines with fresh water and when dry, use a dry Silicone spray on the exposed lines and where they touch parts of the rudder and yak. I use one of the smaller synthetic hand towels designed for fishing and boating to dry and help clean the exposed rudder lines.

As Roadrunner pointed out , all you need is a Phillips screwdriver and a few minutes. After you learn how to do this, you can teach your dealer how to do it, as apparently many dealers and their staff, don't know how to adjust a new Hobie with a rudder. The Hobie link below will show how to adjust your rudder in a few simple minutes.

With the Oasis right side up on our trailer, I have my wife center the rudder control and then move it right and left for my final adjustments. I make the adjustments if necessary as shown in the video below. This only takes a few minutes and we adjust the rudder on our Oasis about twice a year or when I notice it isn't responding in a normal fashion.

I have the twist and stow rudder (not the one in the video) and while I do have two screws on my rudder the steering lines themselves are under some tension when the rudder is cleated. I guess once the screw is loosened I can then untie the knots.

I have read the info phamplet (on the Hobie website) on adjusting it and then I notice both handles are at a bit different angles with the rudder straight.

Would be nice to watch the dealer do it the first time....it came to be this way in Sep when I bought it. Bob

In order to obtain full rudder authority and deflection, the directional control lines should be slightly taut when the rudder is deployed (down and locked) and centered.. All you need is a Phillips head screwdriver to make the adjustments

First, deflect your tiller or rudder control full left and right, and [using a cardboard template or bevel square (shown)] check the deflection angles at the rudder in both directions. (The adjustment is made by adjusting the rudder lines at the rudder assembly). Any slack in the line should be first removed on the side that has the least deflection. Fine tune the lines accordingly to obtain equal rudder deflection from the tiller. Do not make your adjustments based on pushing the rudder back and forth, as this is not how the rudder is operated (use the handle)!

Notice the knots in the picture -- they are nothing more than a bit of "Markinspike Seamanship" or a neat way to secure the dangling line while leaving enough for future adjustments. The lines are always adjusted at the screws.

Bob, you bring up a good point. When is the rudder centered? It should be when the control handle is at mid-throw. This is not always at the 12:00 position so you don't want to set the rudder to the handle visually. When operating your boat, your hand turns the rudder handle the way you want to go -- where it is visually pointing is of no consequence.

With your boat upright on sawhorses, rudder down and locked, swing the rudder full left. Note the deflection angle on the rudder. Then swing your handle full right and again note the deflection angle of the rudder.

Re-center the rudder. If there is any slack, remove the slack on the side that deflected least (the rudder must be centered for this procedure since the lines automatically slack when turning the rudder). That will pull the rudder over slightly and get rid of the slop.

Now go back and cycle the handle again and check for deflection in both directions. If the line was slack, you'll get more deflection now and it should be closer to equal on both sides. If you're lucky you'll be very close to equal deflection and will be done. Otherwise...

Returning to the rudder, now loosen the more acute side and take up that slack on the opposite side. Repeat this process if necessary until you're satisfied with the results.

On your Oasis the handles should be synchronized with each other without any need for alignment.

Now you should find your boat to be much more responsive, with tighter turns and less wandering. With the Oasis and Outfitter, you can further enhance your turns by pointing the rear fins straight down and the front fins up against the hull. This moves the pivot point back and reduces the turn radius.

Everyone was correct; very easy to adjust. I know have the rudder contol knob slight to the right = center and have equal deflection both ways. I will have to get it in the water to see if this equates to tight enough turns before I declare victory.

Rudder is about 1.5" shy of locked position each side. The front rudder control "feels" different than the rear but will see how it is in the water. Tension seems correct.

Bob

_________________Bob2013 Oasis w/ SailVirginia

Last edited by motobob on Mon Jan 14, 2013 6:02 am, edited 2 times in total.

Well after a month of winter weather and holiday related delays in getting the kayak in the water to determine if my rudder adjustments were correct, I could wait no longer... even though yesterday was a drizzly, foggy day. I took the Oasis to a local resevoir, launched if off the trailer and threw in a drive to get out on the water. It was also the first time I pedaled it solo and it worked fine, although a ballast of some sort in the front would help keep the front down.

First I turned right and the familar, sharp, almost surprizing, turn in the water occured. Then I turned left and executed another sharp left hand turn. With the rudder control knob at the 1300 position I can now execute sharp turns in either direction - success!

Thanks for all of the help and I am now certified as a internet taught rudder control adjustment specialist on the Hobie Oasis... too easy - just as you all described...thanks for all who posted. Bob

Now you are the master of your rudder. Your Oasis will probably turn even better with a person up front or ballast up front.

Last summer we had three different Kayak renting guys/gals tell us they couldn't believe how tight I could turn/control our Oasis and manuever it to land or take off at launch sites and ramps.

Before we leave home or before we take the Oasis off its trailer to launch it, I have my wife use the turning knob while I'm back looking at the rudder. Sometimes, not often it needs to be adjusted and the strings retied. It is best to do that before you launch your Oasis.

Now you can instruct some Hobie Dealers, who apparently are very deficient in knowing how to adjust the Hobie rudders. It requires a little effort besides getting an Oasis out of shipping wrapper and rushing you off.

motobob wrote:

Well after a month of winter weather and holiday related delays in getting the kayak in the water to determine if my rudder adjustments were correct, I could wait no longer... even though yesterday was a drizzly, foggy day. I took the Oasis to a local resevoir, launched if off the trailer and threw in a drive to get out on the water. It was also the first time I pedaled it solo and it worked fine, although a ballast of some sort in the front would help keep the front down.

First I turned right and the familar, sharp, almost surprizing, turn in the water occured. Then I turned left and executed another sharp left hand turn. With the rudder control knob at the 1300 position I can now execute sharp turns in either direction - success!

Thanks for all of the help and I am now certified as a internet taught rudder control adjustment specialist on the Hobie Oasis... too easy - just as you all described...thanks for all who posted. Bob